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The reflective introspective is done. After meditating in front of their version of Buddha, which is actually just a picture of Gary Bettman in a towel, the Flames have started addressing the shortcomings of their feeder system.

After signing Bryan Cameron, a junior scorer who could not comes to terms with L.A., the flames have now set about replacing Keith Aulie's hulking frame with Christopher Breen. Breen is a 6'7" 225lbs stay at home defenseman. Now Breen is not a scoring defensemen, he is a big body who gets in the way and uses his size to his advantage, strictly a stay at home guy but as far as size goes he fits the mold of what the flames like to have in their fold.

What is interesting is that the numbers game is starting to go all wonky again. Remember when Calgary had too many forwards and Boyd got traded for a 4th round pick? Well now Calgary has 7 defensemen on one way contracts and that does not include White, who is a restricted free agent, and at least two defensemen who could play at the NHL level in Pelech and Negrin.

Pelech, a first round draft pick, is a guy who can bang on defense and is in the mold of Regehr is going into his RFA year. If you were Pelech and ready to play in the NHL and the team that drafted you kept signing guys on D wouldn't you get kind of fed up? Pelech has three assists in five NHL games so he's not useless on offence either, I watched him shut down Gaborik like a pro and I wanted to see him in the flaming c since.

Right behind Negrin and Pelech you have a glut of great young d coming up too with Seabrook, Brodie, and Baldwin (another giant at 6'5" ) so the Flames can afford to move some guys and probably should.

If Calgary moves salary this year it will be on Defense and that means that almost everyone is available. Regehr, Sarich, Pardy,Staios, Kronwall and even Bouwmeester wouldn't be untouchable (however unlikely) with only Giordano being really a keeper.

Here is a look at what Calgary can look forward to:

Breen- 6'7" 225 lbs-stay at home d
Pelech- 6'4 220 lbs-stay at home d
Baldwin- 6'5" 199 lbs-stay at home d
Negrin- 6'2" 195 lbs 5g 10a 45gp-offensive d
Brodie- 6'1" 175 lbs 56 pts in 65 games in the OHL-offensive d
Seabrook- 6'0" 200lbs 10g 18a 78gp- well rounded d

S>O>
Filed Under:   Flames   Bettman   Buddha  
May 31, 2010 12:49 PM ET | Delete
Bouwmeester
May 31, 2010 12:56 PM ET | Delete
May 31, 2010 12:57 PM ET | Delete
I don't understand why my messages don't show up sometimes, FRUSTRATING!Anyway short version of what I wrote, I expect Jaybo to bounce back this year. Iggy, langks and Bouwmeester all had brutal years (granted Iginla's wasn't terrible, however it was his worst in 10years I think? Too lazy to check that haha).Thanks for the read tho, another interesting addition! Maybe Ek will do the smart thing and main site you SO!
May 31, 2010 1:20 PM ET | Delete
Thanks iggy I appeciate that, I've found that messages diappear if they are too long in length, so if you have a few points to make hjust make a comment for each I like to hear the feed back! BTW I think you're right, they will rebound, maybe langkow won't...I don't know.
May 31, 2010 1:57 PM ET | Delete
package regehr with a younger guy, like Negrin For a decent forward.Get the cap space for Marleau.I would hang onto Bouw and hope he rebounds.
May 31, 2010 5:20 PM ET | Delete
I love patty but I'm not sure he's the guy Calgary needs, I look at patty like Langkow but a little bigger.
May 31, 2010 7:36 PM ET | Delete
Where did this kid come from? How far away is he to playing NHL? Why werent we signing these kind of guys previous years?
June 1, 2010 1:11 AM ET | Delete
have watched each of the players play several times Negrin and Baldwin are very close right now.
June 1, 2010 6:42 PM ET | Delete
I also think Pelech is NHL ready, better than Pardy in my estimation who took a step back last year.
June 1, 2010 10:58 PM ET | Delete
The main Problem is Adam Pardy is one Way ticket right meaning one way contract.
June 3, 2010 12:41 AM ET | Delete
pardy is a good 5, nothing more. He is like Warrener was, with less polish. Patience and cheap contracts will suit us well, due to his size. Unload a D-chip and a proven D
June 4, 2010 12:34 PM ET | Delete
I am sure though that code treats someone simply because all that because of the young kids who are ready to come up.
June 6, 2010 9:45 PM ET | Delete
add tim erixon.
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